LI hate writing descriptions for characters, but it must be done. Also, this chapter will be filled with dark segments. Why? Because this is the chapter where Zero's depression from the human world will start to kick in. Slowly but surely, Zero's whole personality and attitude will change. That's what slowly happened to me over the years when I moved to my new home.
Anastasios
P.O.V. Shift - Zero
I lay in my bed, thinking about the the sudden memories I've been seeing from Earth. What exactly do they mean? Why am I remembering this? I need to just move on! I need to forget the past, and focus on the present and future. This isn't healthy, nor is it beneficial to me… maybe a good night's rest will help out. Yeah, that will definitely work. I curled up, with my tail laying across my snout. I closed my aquamarine colored eyes, and after a few minutes, I fell asleep… my final thoughts before I succumbed to rest were about both of my families. I didn't want to leave my current one, but at the same time… I yearned for my human family. I missed them so much, yet I didn't want to be gone from this family…
I opened my eyes, and all I saw was darkness. A void of nothingness except for black. I looked down, and there was nothing supporting me, but yet I stood on something indiscernible. I felt as though I was here for a reason. I couldn't pinpoint as to why. I spoke.
"Hello? I-is anyone there?" Surprisingly, I received a response back, only in a way that I didn't expect for my response to come. A pair, of sickening, evil-looking, yellow eyes with slitted pupils, appeared in my field of vision. I immediately felt a sense of fear course through my veins. I shrank back from the sickening yellow eyes. Why is my body reacting in such a way!?
"I know, what you are," came the ghastly-sounding voice that sent tremors quaking through my legs. I look up at the the rising yellow eyes, and then a black mass blacker than the void I was in (How was this even possible!?) rose and grew.
"W-what do you mean? I am who I am!" I said with apprehension. I didn't like this at all. If this was in an abandoned school, I was going to nope the fuck out of here. I received a sinister chuckle in reaction with my fearful response. This asshole was taunting me!
"If you choose to believe that, then believe it; I won't stop you. But what I can do is help you get back home, but with a catch." Now this sounded enticing, despite the whole terrifying feeling inside this void.
"You must serve me for a short while until I awaken once more. I'll check on you every few nights. You'll receive a set of tasks that you must complete within each break between the nights. If they aren't performed, then you will never go home. You. Will. Never. Go. Back. To. Your. Other. Family." Each word out of his mouth was like a knife stabbing further. And further. And further, into my body, until it hit my heart with its pointed and jagged tip. Should I accept this? Who was this dragon anyway?
"You'll find out who I am soon enough, youngling." ...Did he just read my mind? With a dark laugh, he exited the void, leaving me alone. I was so shaken by the experience. I really did want to go home, but how do I define home? Here… or there? However, I couldn't just leave Star, Mother, and Father behind. They'd be mourning for my loss. I mean, my human family are probably sad, but I was less connected to them than my current one. I wasn't going to let some entity in my dream take control of my life!
I awoke with a start, sweating like an ape who had exercised for far too long. I licked my salty lips, trying to get a sense of moisture into my mouth, but to no avail, they were still dry. I quickly got out of bed, and exited my room. I made my way to the bathroom, where I could look into the mirror and check myself out. Eugh… that wasn't looking too well… I had a few loose scales, likely from the stress of the nightmare that I had during my sleep. On top of that… my eyes were completely bloodshot. I didn't sleep well, and it was only worsening when I considered that it was morning. The moles had created a plumbing system, which was fantastic. I reached my paw up and over the sink to the cold water handle. I let the water fill up the sink before I sunk my head into a cold vat of water. I swished my head back and forth, trying to get rid of the dirt and grime plaguing my face from the restless night. Some of the loose scales fell off too. I'll have new scales before I knew it. I pulled my head out, my face dripping wet. I looked in the mirror, and I looked only a bit better… it will have to do. I've got to get to the temple and tell everyone of what had happened… this was far too undiscerning for me to ignore. It was also very frightening. Who was that in my dream?
"And that's what happened in that messed up nightmare," I huffed out, feeling my heart tremble after retelling the whole thing, putting in almost every detail, except for the first words that the unknown dragon said.
Judging by the grim looks of the guardians', as well as Spyro and Cynder's, they felt some sort of familiarity. "Zero, was there anything else you could distinguish from this ghostly dragon?" Terrador said with a little bit of distaste.
"...No. Except, that he wanted me to become some sort of servant for him. Nothing else."
"That sounds just like Malefor," Cynder managed to point out. "When I hatched from my egg, I was nothing more than his servant performing his dirty deeds for him… I killed so many innocent people… even the children…" she casted her gaze down, herself feeling downcast.
Spyro frowned at Cynder for mentioning such an appalling subject. He retorted with a hint of caring anger at Cynder. "Cynder, it wasn't your fault! One of these days, I will convince everyone that you've changed. Malefor is to blame for your reputation!" Spyro's voice then began to soften. "Please… don't put yourself down like that… I hate to see you acting like this towards yourself." Spyro gave Cynder a worried, yet caring smile. Cynder looked up and into Spyro's amethyst colored eyes, and she smiled lovingly at his caring attitude. It doesn't seem like those two are going to get together anytime. Spyro was a bit naive. Perhaps I should play Cupid one of these days.
"Yes, it does sound like Malefor, Cynder," Cyril inquired. "But it doesn't mean that this entity is indeed Malefor. It may be just a nightmare. Spyro, didn't you seal him in the core of the planet?"
"Well, yeah," Spyro turned his attention towards Cyril with a bit of doubt crossing his eyes. "But it doesn't mean that Malefor couldn't have used Dragon Time to escape. After all, the Chronicler did say to me that Dragon Time is one of the many abilities a PURPLE dragon can wield. Malefor was a purple dragon. It makes much more sense now…"
"Spyro, are you saying that Malefor may have escaped his prison, and that he is resting somewhere?" Terrador said with unease in his voice. It was obvious that no one wanted to go up against Malefor again…
"It seems farfetch'd, but it's a viable possibility, a high chance, and very likely! This would be terrible if it was so!" Volteer exclaimed, before he returned to his thoughts. Just what went on in Volteer's brain? I then started to imagine mini Volteer's causing chaos in his head… hehehe.
"So, what do we do? Do we keep training? Or do we search for Malefor?" I asked the guardians. I received a response from Terrador.
"Well, since this has some connection to you, Zero, we have no choice but to train you further and harder. Malefor has some kind of interest in you for some reason, and not in Spyro or Cynder. All we know is that he is hiding something, and it's likely something not especially safe for Zero, nor is it good for everyone else," Terrador say grimly, his eyes showing pity for me. Why am I involved? Is it because that I was a human before I was a dragon? And how did Malefor know this? Perhaps… he had a role in this.
"Zero, it was a brave thing to do to notify us despite Malefor's appearance. He could take control of you if he appears in your dreams. This choice will likely have repercussions, but this is the right choice," Terrador said with a hardened gaze. He seemed surprisingly calm despite the situation. I nodded meekly for Terrador, feeling myself shrink before his gaze. Never had I seen him more serious. He was looking more serious than Cyril! Terrador must have sensed my unease, because he then softened his stares.
"Come on now, young ones, we have to prepare for the day. We're starting with combat training, an-"
"Wait, what!? My muscles are aching from yesterday's workout!"
"Do you want to be ready for battle? Or would you rather die from complaining of aching muscles? In this world, if Malefor's about, it's kill, be killed, or die with a fighting spirit. You must take the pressure and beatings if you want to survive his wrath. You. Must. Fight. On," Terrador cut me off abruptly, leaving me standing there stupidly, with my stupid mouth opening and closing, my voice trying to escape its threshold, but to no avail. I decided to shut my mouth after a few moments, and my gazed solidified.
"I understand Terrador. I'll stop complaining. I'll rest when you give me the command to."
"That's the spirit, Zero. Now come on, if Malefor's out and about, then we have to train harder. Volteer, I'm sorry to say this, but your lessons are on hold for a while. You have to help train the younglings with Cyril and I." Volteer mood lessened slightly, but he complied anyway. Volteer smiled once more, and he, and the other guardians, motioned us to follow them to the dojo room. Vita would be joining us soon, I knew that for a fact.
"Are you all ready? We will begin shortly."
I stood, heavily bruised, and panting excessively. I was up against Spyro, and the drake has a little less bruises and cuts than I did. "I'm…huff… not giving up. Not just yet, Spyro!" I said between breaths, before mustering up a steely resolve to fight on. If this was life or death, and I was going to be fighting to defend my future family… I'd rather go down fighting than give up! I mustered up a snarling roar despite my weakness. Spyro grinned at my fighting spirit, and he growled ferociously in determination. Our eyes locked; amethyst against aquamarine. We both charged at each other, not a single of us backing down. Once we were within fighting distance, I brought up my claw, and feinted a left swipe, before following up with an uppercut towards the purple drake's chin. My claws sliced at thin air, and I felt a pair of claws rake against my back. With my adrenalin pumping throughout my body, I jumped up quickly, smashing the top of my head into Spyro's chin, earning a yowl of pain from the drake. I've been training hard yesterday, and now I was training once again today. Terrador's struck one my my chords deeply. I needed to protect not only myself, but those around me. I had to. It was practically my calling to help those in need.
Spyro spun dizzily in the air before righting himself, shaking the stars out of his eyes vigorously. The drake had a fire in his eyes; a will to not back down. The fire within expelled itself outwards as Spyro breathed out fire at me. I took off to the air, pumping my wings hard, trying to avoid the fire. A lucky breath came flying straight at me. I used the power of wind to expel it away from me. I sucked in air so much air that it felt as if my lungs were about to explode, then I released it in a furious gale force, not only dissipating the fire, but I also managed to send Spyro flying into the wall behind him. The force of the impact even made me cringe. The next thing I heard was a groan, followed by the thump on the floor. I opened my eyes and saw Spyro sprawled on the floor nearest to the impact site on the wall. Spyro was getting back up, and despite the bruise now forming between his wings, he looked ready to go. Just what was with purple dragons and their endless source of power!?
I frowned at the situation. I'm more tired than Spyro, yet he just keeps getting up over and over again. What do I do? Should… should I freeze him? No. He has that fire breath of his. With a sigh, I stared angrily at the drake, about to fire off an ice shot at the floor. However, little did I know that I wouldn't be able to do that in time. Spyro suddenly rose up from the floor, sparks flying out of his body. He eventually became encompassed in an electric sphere. Oooooooooh shit. A surge of electricity flashed out, and hit me out of the sky like a bullet against a clay pigeon. I hit the ground rather painfully. Ow ow ow! Did I just land on a sharp rock!? I wheezed when I felt something puncture my shoulder a little deeply. I felt a warm and sticky substance flow from the wound. My blood. I was still being shocked too, which didn't help. Spyro was trying to keep me immobilized. I heard his claws clicking against the floor, and I watched with paralyzation as he pinned down my paws, front and back.
"Spyro… I need…" I choked out. Spyro grew a look of pure horror on his muzzle after realizing that I sounded weaker than I should. He looked frantically at the blood beneath me. It was blocked by my body from sight. Typical. Unknown wound until it was too late. I had many cuts on my body that didn't scab over during our huge brawl. I had lost a decent bit of my life fluid, and I felt as though I was on the brink of passing out.
"T-T-Terrador! We need some assistance!" Spyro stammer shouted. A few minutes later, I felt my body being turned over to reveal the sharp stone. I felt a paw grasp the stone, and- FUCK! WHY DID THEY PULL IT OUT THAT FAST! I screeched loudly from feeling something foreign be forcefully ripped from my flesh. Instantly, I felt a lot better, and not only that, but I felt the wounds on my body start to mend and knit themselves back together. It was also at this moment to that I finally passed out. The last words I heard before my vision faded to black were from Terrador.
"Rest now, Zero. You've fought well." I also heard another voice. A dark, and sinister voice.
"Let the games begin… hehehehehe…" No…
P.O.V. Shift - Spyro
Zero had finally passed out from exhaustion. Good. He needed the rest. He had been worked down to the bone. However, just as I had turned my back to him, I heard a scuttling noise, followed by limbs moving. I turned my head back around to face Zero. I wish I hadn't, yet at the same time, I'm glad I did. Zero was standing upright. And his eyes… they were a sickly yellow. And not that pretty shade of blue. "Terrador!" I shouted, after finally knocking myself out of my stupor. Terrador looked back, and he sure did look as baffled as I did.
"No… this is not good. I sense an endless source of pure evil coming off him!"
Evil… it clicked in my head.
"Malefor has control of Zero!" I managed to spit out before I was whipped across my face by a gust of wind, sending me hurtling down to the floor roughly. Cynder was immediately at my side. Normally, if this wasn't a grim situation, I'd be smiling at her. But for now, we had to subdue the Malefor-stricken Zero.
"Spyro, are you okay?" Cynder's worried voice sounded to me. I forced myself onto my paws, and I shook my body from my head down to my tail.
"Yeah. Thanks Cynder. But my well-being is not our biggest concern right now. We need to help Zero by getting rid of Malefor." I spotted Vita off to the right, contemplating on when she would come in to help in the new battle.
"Volteer! Do you know why Zero is being targeted?" I shouted to the intellectual guardian.
"Well, I-I-I don't have many theories, but perhaps it has to do with his secrets!" Volteer shouted over the mess. I looked back over at Malero; that's the name that I've given to this hybrid. Malero looked to be ready to start attacking once more. He turned to face Terrador, whom would quietly fixate his eyes on the small drake.
"Terrador…" It didn't help that his voice sounded just like Zero! "I remember you being quite a pain during the war. Just like Loud Mouth and Mr. I-Brood-Over-Everything. I'm going to enjoy this while I can…"
"That shall not happen Malefor," Terrador spoke calmly. Malero laid his eyes on Cynder and I before grinning maniacally. That did not look natural on Zero. The corrupt dragon began walking around in circles, stooping lowly, like a cat stalking its prey. "Ahhhh yes… Cynder. And Spyro. The ones who almost defeated me. ALMOST. Defeated me. But alas, things are not meant to be, and I don't go down that easily. You managed to even save your pathetic world," he said venomously. I growled deeply at Malero in response. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cynder staring at Malero with a huge load of malice, and 'I'm about to kick his ass.'
"This time, however, things shall be different. You won't be able to find where I lie quite as easily as you found me after you both were encased in that useless crystal."
This time, Malero lashed out with his sharp claws after quickly darting towards hissed and shot out a glob of poisonous goop at Malero's claw, forcing him to use his ice element to freeze the goop mid-air. With a snarl, Malero pounced upon us, but we sidestepped a good distance before he could sink his claws into us. "Cynder, we have to subdue him somehow!" I said to the black dragoness, whom looked over at me with a nod. Suddenly, the situation took a turn for the worse, and Malero rose up into the air, his body glowing a bright blue; a storm was brewing. This will not turn out well at all! I felt heat well up in my mouth, and I released torrents of flames at Malero. Cynder began doing the same, only using her poison. Nothing was working! It wasn't going to end anytime soon! That is, until Vita came from up above and smashed into Malero, and surprisingly, she dropped him from the air, cutting his attack off. Vita took the chance to dart away while Malero was clambering onto his paws.
"Cynder, use your fear element! Zero is still in there! Which means he'll want to get away!" Volteer shouted to the black dragoness. I saw a look of pure terror cross her features. I knew she didn't like to use that element at all, but we had no other options at this point. Cynder, with great agility, moved her way in front of Malero as he was getting up. It was about to go down. Cynder opened her maw, and a red pulse of the fear element shot out, impacting the drake head on. Malero suddenly looked up at Cynder. He looked… fearful!
"Volteer, it's working!"
I watched as his irises switched back to that aquamarine color. Zero was back. "Cynder, that's enough!" The dragoness shut her maw with the clack of her teeth, and she fell to the floor, looked very distressed about the fact that she had to use her fear element. I saw streams of tears roll down her cheeks as I made my way over to the two. The now returned Zero was hyperventilating, likely scared of Cynder. "Cynder? It's okay… you did good today." I saw Vita rush to Zero's aid, and she began whispering and cooing to him. I tended to Cynder in the meantime, leaning down closer to her head. However, before I could speak, she turned suddenly and reached out with her paws, pulling me in close, and weeping into me. I understood that she needed a shoulder to lean on, so I wrapped my forelimbs around her flanks, gently squeezing the black dragoness. It was over… for now. Who knew when Malefor was going to take control of Zero again. After a few moments, Cynder was down to a few sniffles, while Vita had managed to get Zero to start breathing somewhat regularly.
"This is not very good, Terrador. Malefor took control of Zero. We may never know when this will happen again, if at all it does. I propose for someone to stay at Zero's side for a while…" Cyril mumbled to the aforementioned guardian. Terrador nodded at Cyril's plan, seemingly agreeing with it.
"Yes, Cyril. I believe that is a splendid idea." He shifted his gazes to Vita and Zero. "Vita… will you watch over Zero? This will be quite a dangerous task, but I believe you are up to the test."
"I will, Terrador. Zero needs our help now. Not only that, but I'm sure that Cynder needs Spyro right now. She is shaken up badly. I'll escort Zero home, and explain the situation to his family. I suppose that I need to stay with him, no?" Vita received a nod from the elder guardian. "Alright. Come on Zero, let's go home…" I feel bad for Zero. He is the puppet of Malefor right now. However, one question remained on my mind retaining to that; how did Malefor gain access to Zero's mind..?
P. O. V. Shift - Vita
"I'm going to be looking after Zero for a while. It's Malefor that ails him. I will try and not intrude on your family businesses," I huffed out to Zero's parents. I felt my breath catch in my throat a lot during the whole explanation of what had transpired hours ago. Zero's father was frowning at the situation. Zero's mother looked as if she were on the brink of tears. "I hope you don't me living here for a while either," I added.
Aelius spoke to me with seriousness embedded in his tone of voice. "Thank you for letting us know of this situation. If the guardians believe that you should look after him, then by all means, come on in. I appreciate your demeanor. Not very many people are friends with our son. I'm glad that you are willing. Anyways, welcome to our humble abode, Vita." I smiled at Aelius's slight enthusiasm. Zero's parents were typical parents; always constantly worried about the safety of their children. However, they seemed to be very, very close with each other. I can't help but feel myself smile even further, before I escorted the unconscious Zero, who lay strewn across my back, into the house after Aelius and Godiva let me past them. Upon entering the house, I immediately heard a gasp come from the right. Zero told us that he had a sister. I looked over to the right, and even I gasped. She was so beautiful! Probably more pretty than Cynder and I. I feel a little bit jealous, but I quickly brushed it aside.
"What's going on? Who are you? What happened to Zero?" Immediately, Star was over at my side, inspecting Zero's prone form.
"Relax, Star. I'm Zero's friend, Vita. Let's just say that Malefor is not finished… and that he took over Zero. I was assigned to watch over him by the guardians. Could you show me where Zero's room is? He needs a lot of sleep and rest."
Star looked over at me oddly as the realization struck her hard. She awkwardly, yet shakily, replied with a, "...yes… I'll show you where his room is." Deep inside, I can imagine her heart racing at a miles per second, though she didn't show it. I felt sorry for the bigger sister.
Star walked me up the stairs, and to a room whose door was an aero and ice blue mix. Star opened the door for me, and I thanked her gratefully. I didn't want to risk Zero falling and banging his head against the floor. Star closed the door after I went in, and I heard her walk off and down the stairs.
I looked around the room, and there wasn't much to it. A bed, a desk with some parchment on it with some ink, something called a lamp, which were built by the moles. It can provide light seemingly out of nowhere. I never understood the technology of the moles. It's such a complexity of which my feeble brain can't handle. I immediately made my way over to his bed, and I tilted my body, causing Zero to slide off and onto the soft mattress of his bed. I gazed over his resting form, and I felt sorry for the young drake. Stress is being forced upon him, which isn't good at all, especially since it's coming from Malefor. I gazed up towards his resting face. Zero looked very peaceful. And handsome. Wait, where did that thought come from? I felt my blood rush to my cheeks from staring at his face. Sure, the drake was handsome and cute, but there's no way I was feeling an attraction to him already. We had just met. I'll just wait things out and determine if I do from there. From what I already know, Zero is a sweet and nice drake. He's willing to help out anyone who's being discriminated against them. But, now it's our turn to help him. I glance once more over his figure, before silently creeping out of his room, shutting the door back into its frame softly. I'm rather tired too after all has happened regarding Malefor and Zero.
I was in the guest bedroom, sleeping soundly, when I heard groaning come from Zero's room beside it. It was loud too, and slowly but surely, I was awoken. I blinked my eyes blearily a couple times, trying to blink away the cloudiness. It took me a moment to register what was exactly going on, and my eyes closed before shooting wide open. "Zero!" I hoarsely cried out, the aftereffects of sleep affecting my voice. There was no time to stretch. Something was going on. I quickly darted off the bed and landed on my paws. I exited through the door, not bothering to close it at all.
I ran to Zero's room and swung the door open as fast as my paw could whilst balancing on three legs. I ran in, and saw that Zero was writhing on the bed, and it didn't help that his face showed a look of pure terror and fright. I ran over to his side, take his head into my paws.
"Zero! Zero!" I uttered. "Wake up! It's just a dream!" My words worked like magic. Zero's eyes shot open, revealing pinpricks of those aquamarine eyes. They were darting around wildly, until they rested on my eyes. Instantly, I was hugged by Zero, his body shaking against mine.
"P-P-Please… don't go," the drake whispered vibrationally. I wrapped my paws around him after a few seconds, before whispering to him.
"I won't. It was just a dream, Zero. Tell me about it, if you feel up to it," I said, feeling very sorry for Zero. Zero opened his closed eyes and looked at my before speaking slowly, his voice wavering ever so slightly.
"S-so many bodies… littering and burning in the field. The stench… so disgusting… sickening. I watched my friends… my family… stricken down. They were all looking at me with regret, love… then their dead faces turned to hatred. Why? Why is this happening to me? Why Vita!?" he wailed sorrowfully, tugging on my heartstrings hard.
"It's Malefor. He's the only other explanation for this…" I said.
"Vita… please stay with me. I can't stand being alone…" he requested quietly. It was watching a hatchling crying for its mother. He, and the hatchling, were so vulnerable… so I complied with his request.
"I won't leave you, Zero," I whispered to his before I climbed up into the bed with him. This wasn't a romantic thing at all; just two friends comforting each other. However, as I was about to settle down on the other side of the bed, I yelped as I was being pulled towards Zero with his strong grip. He looked straight into my eyes, his own shaking unsteadily.
"I want you to be the first thing I see when I wake up. I want to be able to at least know that you were here for me the entire time." He said with shaky breathing. He seemed to be calming down with my close presence, and before I knew it, he clos d his eyes and went to sleep. He's so… innocent. I can't help but smile, before closing my eyes, drifting to sleep in his forearms. Moments like these, I will cherish always.
P. O. V. Shift - Zero
I felt very warm when I woke up, and I also felt the faintest of breaths on my muzzle. I fluttered my eyelids blurrily, and I blinked away the eye boogers obstructing my vision. I instantly saw who the breaths belonged to, and I was so overcome with joy. I had made it through the night! And Vita… she stayed by my side, sleepily mind you. Seeing her in one piece, and right by my side was a sight to behold. Vita looked rather peaceful and beautiful when she was asleep, which I shoved deep into the confounds of my mind. However, all things great and good must come to an end, so I gently nudged her with my paw.
"Pssst… Vita. It's morning." I immediately received a groan, whilst she shoved my paw away in deep sleep. I frowned, before I shoved a little bit harder. This time, it had its magic. Vita's eyes started moving behind her lids, and her beautiful garnet colored eyes showed themselves to mine. "Good morning Vita."
Vita looked at me sleepily before stifling a yawn. "Morning, Zero…" the dragoness mumbled. She looked up and down at me blearily, before shrugging it off and removing herself from close quarters.
"Vita… thank you… for, y'know, staying with me during the night. The nightmare was so horrible… I don't think I would have been able to sleep at all. It was like you stopped them… so thank you…" I uttered quietly to her. I felt embarrassed saying this. I literally begged a dragoness to sleep beside me, and one that I had just met merely two days ago. Of course it was awkward to be saying this!
"It's fine… uwaaah~, Zero," Vita replied with a yawn mid sentence. No wonder she was late for class sometimes. Vita must be a heavy sleeper.
"I'm sure my family is worried sick about me… let's not keep them waiting any longer!" I quickly uttered, trying to escape the awkward situation. Vita didn't seem to care about the fact that she had to sleep right next to me. She probably understood that I needed her at my side… I never had many friends. I was lonely. When I was a hatchling, and until only two days ago. Vita, Spyro, Cynder, the guardians if you counted them… I wasn't much of a social person back on Earth, whereas here, I was more of one.
I opened my bedroom door, before stepping aside and letting Vita pass by, acting like a gentledrake. I received a look of please from my action.
"How sweet of you. Ladies first, as some say!" She giggled at her words. Gods, that is such a musical laugh! So beautiful! I've already come to terms with the fact that I had a crush on Vita. Whether or not that will stay true depends on her personality. I don't like mean females. I was picked on by those types of females a lot when I was on Earth, and sometimes here too.
I followed Vita outside the door and down the stairs. As soon as I stepped down the final stair, I was swooped up by a pair of strong forearms.
"Oh, Zero! Are you okay? Did you sleep well!?" My mother murmured worriedly to me. I understand how she feels. It's like a hangover, and your mother is by your side the next day.
"Yeah, Mother. I'm okay… and I definitely slept well for the most part thanks to Vita… I kind of needed a helping paw to sleep," I explained then how I had the horrifying nightmare, and it prompted my mother to hug me tighter against her.
"I'm so sorry that you have to go through all of this, Zero, my dear… it's much worse than we initially thought…"
"I guess you could say that."
"And Vita, thank you. For looking after Zero for us. You are officially allowed in our house anytime. Any dragon or person who helps Zero is welcome anytime." My mother smiled at Vita, who returned it gratefully. Well, at least everyone can get along.
"I'm starving. When are we going to eat?"
Vita and I met up with Spyro and Cynder in front of the temple, where the guardians stood, waiting for us. Upon arrival, Terrador got straight to the point, and asked, "How was Zero last night Vita? Did anything happen?"
"Nothing much really, except for the horrible nightmare he had." I looked over at the Cynder as she said this, and I saw the black dragoness shudder. It had nothing to do with Cynder, and she was probably still feeling very down and guilty, so being the friendly person I am, I made my way over to her.
"Cynder," I spoke firmly. She perked up and fixated her gaze on me.
"Y-yes?"
"I can tell that you are feeling guilty about what happened yesterday during training. It wasn't your fault, the nightmare. It had to have been caused by Malefor. What other dragon can deliberately give other dragons specific nightmares?"
"I could… about me. Back then, that is."
"That, was back then, like you said. This is now. You're a sweet dragoness Cynder, and a very pretty one at that. Sure, everyone remembers you for who you were back and before, but this is you now. You are Cynder. Not some kind of puppet. You can show the people you have changed. Now lift up your head and stop moping." My words seemed to have an impact on her, because Cynder looked up and held her head high in pride, smiling giddily at me.
"You know what Zero, you're just as great as Spyro when he is cheering me up. I'm glad that I have you as a friend. And I'm glad to have met you." Her words were like a home run, because I was smiling happily at her sudden change in mood.
Spyro then pulled me aside and away from Cynder, as well as everyone else, to get a chance to speak to me. "Zero, thank you. For everything you've done for Cynder and I. You're calling, like you've said it, is spot on. You've everyone's respect, and rightfully earned it is. You've even became a good friend for Cynder, and that was without any chains or anything like that, hehe…"
I could see the longing look in Spyro's eyes when he mentioned "friend for Cynder." Alright, I have never been in a relationship, and I already know that Spyro loves the black dragoness, but come on! You're so naive that you can't even see that she loves you back! But not now. I won't say it now. Gotta wait for when the time is right to give some dating advice.
"Heh, I suppose that is true. So, Spyro, ya ready to fight me head on again?"
"Hell yeah! I'm going to have to face it even more head on now that we know Malefor is not quite gone and done yet!" That's the spirit Spyro! What a team player!
I hear Terrador bellow with a chuckle behind us. "Your confidence is in check Spyro. And you, Zero. You seem ready to go, despite what's happened. Is it perhaps that your desire to fight is stronger?" That. That is a really great question. Did I actually want to fight? Or was it deeper. Perhaps it was a combination… of freedom and the desire to fight for that freedom… like a patriot.
"I… I want freedom. In order to get freedom, you have to fight for it. Since this whole ordeal has to do with me in some way, I'm involved, which means I need to fend for myself if the situation and circumstances call for it." Terrador seemed pleased with the response that I had given him. With the slight movement of his head, he directed us to the training area, where we would prepare even further for Malefor. I was surprisingly calm about this whole ordeal. Did I really have any worries? Or was this a facade that I put up? I hope it wasn't the latter at all.
"Spyro, you shall practice with Cynder on this day. Zero, you shall go up against Vita. Though you did hold your own against Spyro for a while, you need to start fighting opponents at your experience level, then gradually increase the stakes." I nodded in understanding. I was nowhere near Spyro and Cynder's fighting skills, and eventually, as time goes on, they get better. It'll be a losing battle for me either way. The only other option is to fight twice as hard. Then we would all eventually be around the same skill in terms of combat. Man, I'm so smart for an idiot.
Cyril and Volteer guided us to the next room over so Vita and I can train and brawl. Cynder and Spyro remained fixated in position.
Soon enough, Vita and I were on opposite ends of the field, waiting for the bullet to fire, and it did within seconds. Volteer was the one to give the command to start. I put on a burst of speed, jumping immediately towards the dragoness, my wings pumping steadily. However, just before I could land a blow, Terrador padded into the room with a serious look about his face. I was immediately distracted, and Vita was apparently as well, as I rocked back and forth after I slammed headlong into the dragoness.
"Everyone. Cease at once. We've received news of a band of grublins and orcs scouting a little too close to Warfang. This is a problem that needs dispatching of quickly. There's a decent amount to handle, but it shouldn't be a problem. You're all trained very well, and there's always room for improvement," Terrador elucidated.
My head was spinning, while Vita and I received puzzled looks all around. I shook myself from my dizziness before I quickly moved off the dragoness that I was atop, who was also coming out of her daze.
"Terrador, this matter is utmostly significant. If we don't stop this great group of merciless vandals, then I'm afraid that something inconceivably horrid will happen. This isn't ordinary at all. Some kind of scheme must be afoot. Hurry, make haste young dragons! You've'nt any time to lose!" Volteer sounded quickly. He seemed to be in a panic of some sort, and Cyril was glaring at Volteer, but in his eyes, he seemed gloomy. Now that I think about it, everyone was on edge.
"Terrador? Why is everyone so… jumpy?" I asked, wanting to seek out the information.
"The scouting party that watched the orcs and grublins noticed that they all hovered in one spot, almost as if guarding something. If this is what I am thinking, then if they succeed in it, then the war is resuming." Oh shit. We may just have found Malefor's hideout.
"Spyro. Cynder. Vita. Zero. You are to head out and dispatch of these threats, but be wary. Malefor may be prowling there. He is unpredictable," Terrador hissed out. I wasn't ready to face Malefor, which is why I had a very bad feeling about this situation. I can't shake the paranoia loose from me… we all began to ready ourselves for the inevitable battle, and soon, we departed from the temple and out in the airs of Warfang. These citizens didn't even know that the threat was closer than they knew it, even though they didn't know it! If we were to fail in subduing these evildoers… no. Think positive! The citizens will be safe! They have to be! But what if they aren't… what if we don't succeed? NO! I have to stop thinking negatively! I need to stop the inside battles! We just have to hope that everything will out a-ok… at least I hope so